Chicago Blackhawks: Another huge week for playoff chase

Thursday, home vs the Philadelphia Flyers

This is another team the Blackhawks have had to play in the playoffs in their recent glory days. They defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2010 Stanley Cup Final in six games to win their first Stanley Cup in half a century. Things are a bit different now, as the Flyers only have two players on their team that appeared in that Final and the Blackhawks have four.

One of those guys for the Flyers is Claude Giroux. He is the Flyers leader in points with 76 and their captain. Everything runs through him and the Blackhawks will need to be aware of where he is. If he isn’t scoring goals himself, he might be setting them up for some of his teammates. Sean Couturier, James van Riemsdyk, and Travis Konecny are their three leaders in goals so these guys can all put the puck in the net.

The matchup of Giroux vs Toews is something to look out for, but they have a young defense that will look to contain Patrick Kane. Guys like Shayne Gostisbehere and Ivan Provarov will have the pleasure of trying to contain Kane. Kane always seems to play well against the Flyers for some reason, but then again he just plays well versus everyone.

However, earlier this season the Blackhawks were blanked by the Flyers back on November 10th. It was a 4-0 win in Philly and it was right after the ‘Hawks fired their coach Joel Quenneville. That was one of the true low points in the recent memory of the franchise. Now they will look to avenge that defeat and end Philly’s hopes of a miracle playoff berth and get the Blackhawks a little closer.